Advice for finding your pet

When you lose a pet it can be a distressing experience for both of you.
Below are some tips that we hope will help you find your pet.

Take prescautions & be pro active

Firstly, try to make sure your pet is safe and secure BEFORE you leave them alone. Make sure your dog / cat is wearing a collar with an ID tag. It’s a lot easier for someone to phone you to say they’ve found your pet if they are carrying your contact details on them.

Get mirco chipped

Always have your dog microchipped and registered! This is a huge help in making sure they will be returned to you if they ever go missing.

Keep records up to date

Remember to update microchip information with the council, vets and the national microchip database if you move to a new house.

Don’t just register locally

The New Zealand Companion Animal Register (NZCAR) is New Zealand’s largest database of microchipped animals and has the sole purpose of helping more lost pets get home. For more information visit animalregister.co.nz

Increase the chances of your lost dog or cat getting home even more by using the ‘PiP’ Facial Recognition.

For a one-off introductory price of $25* (GST inclusive) you can increase the chances of your lost pet getting home when lost, by adding facial recognition to your pet’s existing NZCAR record.

We can now combine the NZCAR microchip database with one of the world’s leading animal facial recognition systems. ‘PiP’ Facial Recognition offers the following features for NZCAR dog and cat owners:

Anyone can upload a photo of a found pet for FREE from any phone at any time. This image is then compared against all images on the database in minutes. NZCAR staff can then contact the owner to put them in touch with the person who has found the missing pet.

All you need is a clear digital photo of your pets face, your pets microchip number and access to the email address listed on the NZCAR. If you have any questions, please email info@animalregister.co.nz, or call 0800 LOSTPET (0800 567873) during our office hours 8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.

* Price for NZCAR users to upgrade is $25 until 31 March 2018. Normal cost is $30 GST Inclusive. The cost is a one-time payment for the life of the animal. Only cats and dogs can be registered at the time of launch.

Pictures

Remember to always keep a clear, up to date photo of your animal which can be used / posted online if your pet should go missing.

If you lose your pet

Tell the authorities

If you pet does go missing contact local animal shelters and animal control agencies. In the Bay of Islands Area that would be the Far North District Council, the SPCA and ourselves.

Don’t forget to contact your local vets as lost animals are often handed into vet clinics by the public.

Remember to provide everyone with an accurate description and a recent photograph of your pet. Notify the police if you believe your pet was stolen.

Search the area

Search your local neighbourhood either on foot or by car and speak to your neighbours in case they may have seen something.

Get Online

Use the internet, Facebook groups can be a very effective way to contact a large number of local people to let them know your pet is missing.

Advertise

Post notices up around the local area, try place that get a lot of people coming through like grocery stores, medical centres, schools and community centers, etc. Include a photo and a good description of your pet.

Don’t give up

Don’t give up your search. Animals who have been lost for months have been reunited with their owners.